Have to share some bad news. Just read on bluegrasstoday.com that Ralph Stanley has passed away.
The greats walk before us. Be glad that it happened.
I remember the Rockygrass video tribute to John Hartford, and I just had tears running down my face. And my wife was like, what’s going on with you?
Well this is sad. One of my most haunting TBF memories was hearing Ralph Stanley sing “Oh Death” acapella late night in the box canyon in 2001! My lord that brought goose bumps (and is right now as I type this) and chills down my spine. Sorry Dr. Ralph we just couldn’t spare you over to another day.
That song is the exact memory that came to my mind as I read the news. I had the same chills remembering the strength of his voice (at ~75 years!) and how perfectly the sound resonated. One of my fondest memories of TBF and one that never fades. He will be missed.
At the 2001 show I remember him talking about his brother and the things they did together like it was yesterday. his brother was that present, except that he had died in the 60’s. He and Carter are reunited.